9.01 General Procedure for Completeness Review

COMPLETENESS CHECKLISTS

§ 9.01 GENERAL PROCEDURE FOR COMPLETENESS REVIEW.

This article sets forth the submission requirements for the various categories of subdivision, site plan and variance applications to the Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Adjustment. The following general procedures shall apply to the completeness review of applications:

A. In order to be determined complete for review by the Board, all of the required information must be submitted; provided, that the applicant may request that one or more of the submission requirements be waived. A written request, explaining the basis for such request(s) must be submitted for such waiver requests in order to be considered. The Board or its authorized committee shall grant or deny the waiver request within forty-five (45) days of receipt of the written request.

B. If more than one development application category is to be considered by the Board, the applicant shall be required to submit the information required for all of the individual applications. The applicant shall have the option of submitting separate drawings and documents for each type of application, or drawings and documents, which combine the required information for the various types of applications.

C. Nothing herein shall be construed as diminishing the applicant's obligation to prove in the application process that he is entitled to approval of the application.

D. The Board may subsequently require correction of any information found to be in error and submission of additional information not specified in this ordinance or any revisions in the accompanying documents, as well as the submission of any information previously waived, as are reasonably necessary to make an informed decision as to whether the requirements necessary for approval of the application have been met. The application shall not be deemed incomplete for lack of any such additional information or any revisions in the accompanying documents so required by the Board.

§ 9.02. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS; SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION.

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[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] A. For purposes of completeness review only, three (3) copies of the appropriate application form(s). Thereafter, if the review determinations that the application is complete, the applicant shall submit three (3) completed and signed originals and eighteen (18) copies (if submitting to the Planning Board) or one (1) completed and signed original and ten (10) copies (if submitting to the Zoning Board of Adjustment) of the appropriate application form(s). Notwithstanding the above, the Board Secretary may require a greater or lesser number of copies in particular cases as appropriate. If any item on the form is not applicable, is unknown or is otherwise unable to be completed, the item shall not be left blank, but the words "not applicable", "unknown", "none" or other appropriate language shall be used.

[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] B. Written description of the application, including a description of the proposed use and improvements.

[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] C. Statement indicating all of the provisions of the Land Use Ordinance from which a waiver or variance is sought, together with a statement of reasons why same should be granted. The statement shall include both existing and proposed violations of the Land Use Ordinance.

[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] D. Receipt indicating that applicable fees and initial escrow deposits are paid.

[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] E. Certificate from the Tax Collector indicating that all taxes and assessments for the subject property are paid up to and including the most recent collection period.

[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] F. Certificate from both the Board of Adjustment and the Planning Board indicating the nature and date of prior actions, if any, by the respective boards affecting the subject property, and a copy of the board resolutions of such actions.

[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] G. Affidavit of ownership. If applicant is not the owner, applicant's interest in land must be indicated; e.g., tenant, contract/purchaser, lien holder, etc., and permission of property owner to file the application must be submitted.

[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] H. If applicant is a corporation or partnership applying to the Board or the Council for permission to subdivide a parcel of land into six (6) or more lots, or applying for a variance to construct a multiple dwelling of twenty-five (25) or more family units or for approval of a site to be used for commercial purposes, list the names and addresses of all stockholders or individual partners owning at least ten percent (10%) of its stock of any class as required by § 8.26.

[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] I. A statement of any and all approvals which are required from other governmental entities.

[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] J. For minor subdivisions, preliminary major site plans and preliminary major subdivisions, one (1) of the following when in the opinion of the Town Engineer there exists or there is substantial likelihood that there exists on the subject property or on adjacent property freshwater wetlands which could materially affect the proposed development pursuant to rules promulgated under the Freshwater Wetlands Protection Act:

[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] 1. A letter of interpretation from the N.J.D.E.P. indicating the absence of freshwater wetlands, or indicating the presence and verifying the boundaries of freshwater wetlands, and classifying same by resource value;

[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] 2. A letter of exemption from the N.J.D.E.P. certifying that the proposed activity is exempt from the Freshwater Wetlands Protection Act, and regulations promulgated there under;

[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] 3. A copy of any application made to the N.J.D.E.P. for any permit concerning a proposed regulated activity in or around freshwater wetlands; or

[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] 4. Documentation demonstrating that no wetlands exist on the subject property, and demonstrating that no wetlands exist on adjacent property that would affect or limit development on the property which is the subject of the development application.

[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] K. A copy of any protective covenants or deed restrictions, if any, affecting the property in question; or an affidavit from the owner certifying that no such covenants or restrictions exist.

[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] L. Photographs depicting the subject site, the existing structure from all sides, site improvements, roadway access and yard areas.

§ 9.03. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS; PLAN INFORMATION.

In addition to the submission requirements for the individual categories of applications in the following sections, all categories of applications, except for conceptual site plans and conceptual subdivisions, shall be required to submit three (3) copies of the required plot plan, site plan, or subdivision plan, for purposes of completeness review only. Thereafter, if the review determinations that the application is complete, the applicant shall submit eighteen (18) copies, if submitting to the Planning Board, or eleven (11) copies, if submitting to the Zoning Board of Adjustment, of any required plot plan, site plan or subdivision plan, signed and sealed by the professional who prepared the plot plan, site plan or subdivision plan. If review by the Architectural Review Board is required, five (5) additional copies of the plan shall be submitted. Notwithstanding the above, the Board Secretary may require a greater or lesser number of copies in particular cases as appropriate. Any plan submitted as part of an application to a Town agency shall be prepared by an individual pursuant to the regulations in N.J.A.C.

I = Incomplete NA = Not Applicable W = Waiver Request C = Complete

COMPLETENESS CHECKLISTS

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[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] A. Title block containing the type of application, name and address of applicant and owner; name, address, signature, license number and seal of plan preparer; existing lot and block numbers; municipality and county, date prepared and date(s) of all plan amendments.

[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] B. Signature block for signatures of Chairman and Secretary of the Board.

[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] C. The name of all adjoining property owners as disclosed by current Town tax records.

[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] D. A key map showing the location of the tract to be considered in relation to the surrounding area within at least five hundred (500) feet of the subject property.

[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] E. Scale of map, both written and graphic. The scale shall consist of no more than fifty (50) feet to the inch.

[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] F. North arrow.

[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] G. Zoning district in which parcel is located, and the zone district of adjacent property, along with the standardized zoning table provided by the Zoning Officer, placed upon the plan, indicating tract area, lot area(s), lot width(s), all yard setbacks, building and impervious coverage, building height, floor area ratio, density and number of parking spaces, both as to required, existing and proposed, for the subject property. If the application involves a conditional use, compliance with the applicable conditional use standards shall be indicated on the plan.

[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] H. Existing and proposed boundaries of the site(s) in question, with bearings and dimensions of same. The number of each existing tax lot in accordance with the tax map shall be shown.

[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] I. Municipal boundary line(s), if any, crossing or adjacent to the subject property.

[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] J. Location and width of existing easements or rights-of-way on or abutting the subject property, including but not limited to streets, utility and drainage easements, sight easements and access easements.

[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] K. Location of existing and proposed buildings, with setbacks from property lines dimensioned on the plan.

[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] L. Location of existing and proposed paved areas, including parking and loading areas, driveways, sidewalks, etc., showing the design of such areas.

[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] M. Location of natural features, including woodlands, all trees as required by the Tree Preservation Ordinance, Chapter 29A of the Code of the Town of Westfield; streams and other water bodies; wetlands if required pursuant to § 9.02J; flood hazard areas and rock outcrops on the property; and any of the foregoing on adjacent properties if same affect the proposed development.

[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] N. Location of any required dedication or reservation for streets or any area shown on the Official Map or Master Plan.

[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] O. Soil erosion and sedimentation control plan, if required pursuant to the Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Act.

[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] P. Construction details and specifications sufficient to illustrate the nature of site improvements, including but not limited to the following, when appropriate: paving, curbing, walls, fences, utility and storm drainage structures, soil erosion control structures, tree protection devices, light fixtures and standards, signs, planting and staking details, and barrier-free access design.

§ 9.04. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR CONCEPTUAL SITE PLANS AND SUBDIVISIONS.

Applications for informal review of conceptual site plans and/or subdivisions shall be required to submit a plan of the proposed development. The procedures for completeness review of formal applications shall not apply to such plan, except as provided below; however, the board secretary shall refer the plan to the appropriate persons and agencies, who shall provide suggestions as to any additional information that may be helpful to the board in reviewing the plan. The applicant may choose to proceed without providing such additional information, or may provide some or all of the suggested information. Once the applicant has finalized his plan submittal, the application shall be scheduled for the board's agenda; provided that any application for informal review shall provide the following prior to referral or review by the board:

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[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] A. Three (3) completed and signed originals and eighteen (18) copies of the appropriate application form.

[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] B. Eighteen (18) copies of the concept plan.

[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] C. Written description of the application, including a description of the proposed use and improvements.

[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] D. Receipt indicating that applicable fees and initial escrow deposits are paid.

[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] E. Certificate from the Tax Collector indicating that all taxes and assessments for the subject property are paid up to and including the most recent collection period.

§ 9.05. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR MINOR SUBDIVISIONS.

In addition to the requirements indicated in § 9.02 and § 9.03, the information below shall be shown on the plans for all minor subdivision applications. Minor subdivision plans to be filed with the County Recording Officer shall use a sheet size of either 8.5" x 13", 15" x 21", 24" x 36" or 30" x 42".

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[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] A. Name of the map.

[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] B. Dimensions, bearings, and curve data for all property lines and easements.

[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] C. Location and description of existing and proposed monuments, including monuments where found, monuments set or reset, and monuments to be set or reset.

[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] D. Proposed lot and block numbers for each proposed lot.

[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] E. Reference meridian for north arrow shown graphically.

[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] F. Date of the survey.

[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] G. Required building envelopes drawn for each lot, showing graphically and by dimension the minimum front, side and rear yard setbacks, as well as any easements within which the construction of buildings is prohibited.